Tuesday, March 3rd through Thursday, March 5th, 2026
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR 2026
Dear Colleague:
The ISDVMA and Iditarod Trail Committee are joining forces to present a training seminar from Tuesday, March 3, through Thursday, March 5, 2026, for individuals interested in sled dog medicine and preparing for race participation as trail veterinarians. This program has been developed in response to the increasing demand for greater expertise and involvement in competitive mushing events, of which the Iditarod Sled Dog Race is premier. Lectures relevant to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting sled dogs during training and racing, as well as participation in the Iditarod pre-race veterinary exams, are included in the program. In addition, preparation of veterinarians for working and living in remote checkpoints under potentially severe weather conditions will be emphasized.
Lectures on Tuesday and Thursday will be in hybrid format. The majority of speakers will be in-person, but lectures will be available to attend virtually. Of course, the Vet Checks (hands-on canine exams) on Wednesday will be “real”.
The meeting will be based at The Wildbirch Hotel in downtown Anchorage. For those who are Iditarod 2026 staff veterinarians, rooms will be provided for you at the Wildbirch Hotel by the Iditarod Trail Committee and attendance must be in person. Veterinarians who are not staff members may contact the Wildbirch Hotel for room reservations as follows:
The Wildbirch Hotel
239 W. 4th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: 907-793-5555
Register soon. We hope to see you there!
Program Speakers
Peter D. Constable, BVSc, MS, Phd Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and American College of Veterinary Nutrition, MS and PhD in cardiovascular physiology and Dean -College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois.
Melissa l. Edwards, DVM, DACVECC Diplomate American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Douglas, Alaska.
Matthew Failor Iditarod Musher
Erika Friedrich, BVetMed, MRCVS Chief Veterinarian,Iditarod; Owner-Veterinarian, Royal Oak Veterinary + Urgent Care, Purcellville, Virginia
Caroline H. Griffitts, DVM, DACVSMR, CVSMT Diplomate American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Loveland, Colorado.
Marianne Lian, DVM, MS, PhD Director of Canine Drug Testing Iditarod Sled Dog Race. University of Applied Sciences, and Affiliated Faculty Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Jerome Vanek, DVM, MS, CCRT, CVC Chief or trail veterinarian on over 130 races and 6 expeditions across 5 continents. His 50 year involvement with sled dogs has also included roles as musher, trail boss, race marshal, handler, author, editor, and ISDVMA founder and historian. Angus, Minnesota.
Program Schedule –
preliminary schedule is subject to change
TUESDAY – March 3, 2026 (The Wildbirch Hotel)
8:00 – 8:50 am – Erika Friedrich, Preparing the Introduction to Sled Dog Medicine, Common Issues and Treatment
8:50 – 9:00 am Break
9:00 – 9:50am – Erika Friedrich, Trail Medications. continued
9:50 – 10:00am Break
10:00 – 10:50am – Peter D. Constable, Alaskan Sled Dogs and the Athlete’s Heart (Part 1)
10:50 – 11:00am Break
11:00pm – 12:00pm – Peter D. Constable, Alaskan Sled Dogs and the Athlete’s Heart (Part 2)
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Lunch on Own
1:00 – 1:50pm – Jerome Vanek
Physical examination of a sled dog
1:50 – 2:00pm Break
2:00 –2:50pm – Jerome Vanek
Common musculoskeletal injuries and treatment in sled dogs
2:50 – 3:00pm Break
3:00 – 3:50pm – Jerome Vanek, Common musculoskeletal injuries and treatment in sled dogs, continued
4:00 – 4:30pm – Caroline Griffitts
BCS evaluation of sled dogs
4:30 – 5:00pm – Erika Friedrich – Pre-race evaluations overview and preparation
WEDNESDAY – March 4, 2026
8:00am – 4:00pm Iditarod Pre-Race Veterinary Exams (Wasilla) (Transportation provided)
8:00 – 8:30am BCS and Examinations Hands-On Instruction
8:30am – 4:00pm Veterinary Pre-Race examinations
THURSDAY – March 5, 2026 (The Wildbirch Hotel)
8:00 – 8:50am – Erika Friedrich, Checkpoint Protocols: Paperwork, record keeping
8:50 – 9:00am Break
9:00 – 9:30am – Erika Friedrich, Returned Dog Program and Protocols
9:30 – 9:40am Break
9:40 – 10:50am Erika Friedrich, Returned Dog Program and Protocols
10:50 – 11:00 Break
11:00 – 12:00pm – Peter D. Constable, Sled Dog Nutrition
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Lunch on own
1:00 – 1:50pm – Matthew Failor, Musher presentation – Kennel Management, feeding a sled dog team
1:50 – 2:00pm Break
2:00 – 2:50pm – Matthew Failor, checkpoint routines, Musher-Veterinary racetime communication – what works best; Q&A
3:00 – 4:00pm – Melissa L Edwards, Emergency and Critical Care topcis
4:00 – 4:30pm – Marianne Lian, Drug Testing Program: A Study in Chain of Custody and Laboratory Testing
4:30 – 5:00pm – Erika Friedrich, Final wrap up and Q&A before the trail
Happy Trails!
Attend Iditarod Musher Pre-Race Banquet if desired
-separate ticket purchase required from ITC
Scroll Down for Online Registration Options
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2026
Preview of pre-registration pricing – Pre-Register prior to February 2026!
(add $50.00 after February 3, 2026)
| ISDVMA Member, In person | $300 (U.S. Funds) |
| ISDVMA Non-Member, In person | $375. |
| ISDVMA Member, Virtual | $275. |
| ISDVMA Non-Member, Virtual | $350. |
Contact Hotel Directly for Reservations & Hotel Information: Wildbirch Hotel, 239 W. 4th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: 907-793-5555.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS*: 20 for in-person attendance, 15 for virtual attendance *Individual licensing authorities may require additional documentation such as registration receipts or other program information. This meeting is not RACE approved. Final determination of the acceptance of a program for CE accrual is the responsibility of the individual licensing authority. Contact your state veterinary board for CE requirements.